CAB

CAB4 on Mascot Records, (M 7079 2) [66:49], just flew in from the Netherlands into my CD player and I am lovin' it. It's all too rare when I can pop in a CD and relish it the whole way through -- on a first listen too.

MacAlpine, Brunel, Auger, & Chambers have done it again. And a major bravo to Patrice Rushen on seriously superb Chick Corea-ish keyboardscapes and soloing!!

This release gives me the same feelings I got upon hearing RTF's Romantic Warrior the first time. Yeah, it is all that -- jazz fusion so tight, so slick, so melodic, so well executed, and compositions so engaging that it deserves a 12.5 out of 10. It is a laid-back groove in many spots but smokes enough here and there to satisfy hard-core fusion rockers needing egde and dymanics. It is not anywhere as dense and frenzied as Romantic Warrior weighed in so long ago but listen -- these guys could easily have pulled off a near perfect clone-tribute to RTF and thus gone the way of -- well ya know -- "that's nice, what else can ya do?" . . . Instead we get a solid 21st-century fusion groove that perfectly demonstrates how high-quality jazz fusion can be without all the extended "look-at-me" blowing going on.

The virtuosity of everyone is screaming out in the controlled unison lines, balanced voicing, tones, and phrasings. Be it bass, keys, axe or drums -- this release is magic! It's gonna be really hard for me to choose a favorite track!

In a nutshell, all you fusion fans who already own this -- you know what I mean dontcha -- and the rest of you folks need this NOW!

Regrettably, this style of jazz/rock fusion is not being championed by many younger musicians these days. But the seasoned veterans seem to keep re-grouping in different combinations, and once in a while they really do it up right. CAB is one of those groups, and their third cd, CAB4, is the best of their output. This album charges right out of the gate with the hard driving, groove-laden "Hold On", and sets the pace for the rest of the album. Not that there aren't some nice slower tunes too, but you LIVE for the typical showcase spots that let the soloists shine: Brunel is a fantastic master of the fretless bass, Chambers is a peerless drummer, Auger and Rushen add great atmospheres and riffs on keyboards, and MacAlpine never sounded better - he's left behind the metallic shred that crept into a couple of songs on the CAB1 cd, and lets his jazz chops shine like the sun here on this one. At close to 67 minutes long, this cd contains such a nice balance of groove, drive, funk, jazz and energy - and you'll remember the melodies long after the music stops! Reminiscent of bits from Return to Forever, Larry Coryell, Bill Bruford, Weather Report, Chick Corea's Elektric Band, and others from the 70's and 80's, this album is a great addition to the fusion canon.

With great musical rides at the lowest fares possible, you'll want to catch this CAB. 4-1/2 stars

The fourth album marks the first major change in the line-up - Dennis Chambers is replaced by Virgil Donati, another spectacular drummer in the fusion world.

Tracks are generally shorter, so more variety due to high number of them. The feeling is more relaxed than intense although there are more intense tracks like "The prankster" or "The sultan of Brunel" with its metallic feeling. Donati is a fine drummer as also evidenced by the highly irregular "The ventriloquist" with varying complexity from straight rock to fusion. "Rain" and "The pub" show the fusion can have straightforward rhythm and complex soloing. The band tried to expand the sonic horizon by adding brass section which I can't say if it is for real or coming from a keyboard sound bank. The title track is absolute mad number. "High cloud" has a bass reminiscent of Cobham's "Spectrum". "The puppeteer" has a beautiful post-bop-fusion moments combined with 70's fusion.

Although this album doesn't bring much new to the table by the band, it's well executed again so I grant it 4 stars again.

Suprisingly no reviews but already 20 ratings with a score highly above 4, hmm... Is it better than the previous two CAB albums? I wouldn't say so, the quality is about the same. The music is laid back but containing a lot of great soloing, enough happening and clear music structure with good chord sequences. I like different bass sounds - normal, fretless. Drums are elastic, progressive and I appreciate some electronic drumming - programmed. Keyboards have more importance on this album. Another difference is that the speed of playing is generally slower but still masterfully executed. The first track is a typical energic song and could easily fit on any of the previous two albums. "Shizuka" is a mellow fretless bass accompanied track, a typical evening quiet fusion track. Guitar is soothing. "Tony Mac" has electronic drums that make the sound a bit more experimental but guitar playing and Fender Rhodes are very natural. The most intensive tracks are "Raymond" and "BB's Rhumba" with excellent piano, drumming and fretless bass with MacAlpine throwing in other virtuoso solos. "Bass ackward" has crazy bass slapping and creative drumming. It's maybe the only song without clear compositional direction, totally focused on jamming. "Jam and toast" is one of the more memorable tracks with jazz piano and clear simple motive. "Dede" is a fine last track with all typical ingredients of the CAB line-up with every player playing hell out of the instrument including Auger's Hammond.

The sophomore effort with the same line-up brings nice moments and complements the debut album. It is more versed in jazz and feels more improvisational.

"Decisions" is reminiscent of the previous title track but only the instrumental chorus comes and sees MacAlpine in the spotlight with perfect soloing. Then Chambers, Auger and other players democratically show off their muscles. "Madeleine" is one of the best tracks on the album with slightly dramatic synth chords and a killer chorus melody with all instruments but keyboards playing irregularly. I like the contrast frenetic Chambers solo with mellow bass/keyboards in the background. "Dennis" is a showcase for the drummer, since he plays the most complex instrumental part here. Let's also mention Hammond well seconding the drums, this song is rhythm crazy! "For Joe" has a 5/4 or so rhythm and a killer guitar leads followed by relaxing electric piano. "South Side" has some almost metallic/prog-rock main motive but plenty of fusion soloing. "Song for my friend" is a fast-pace number with electric piano highlights. Also the bass guitar is kept busy from start til' finish. "Sunday" has a lazy weekend lounge feeling with focus on mood rather than music variety.

One of my first forays into a modern fusion, especially the second track that I heard back in 2000/1 without knowing anything about the superstars behind the album. It merges incredible playing chops with accessible music motives and good level of composing. In addition, the guys can show emotions in playing, it's not a tones/second excercise. All three key members are on top of their game joined occasionally by the mighty Hammond by Auger that gives it a more laid-back feeling. The first track has a captivating bass a la Pastorius but also keyboard synths and guitar will raise you from the seat. More consistent is the title track that has two main motives, one of them being a hard-rock riff. All four main instruments take turns to show off their excellent jamming skills while keeping the leading idea bear the structure. "So there is love" has tasty guitar licks and the song reminds me of Brand X and/or Weather Report, while "Just perfect" has a Mezzoforte- like rhythm section. Plenty of Hammond is to be heard in "One for Stern". "Atamanashi" has an African-influenced drive and "Boogie Me" could have similarity to Cobham penned "Quadrant 4". "Elastic Man" has incredible fast guitar lines by the master and "Bernhard" is a nice soft end to this highly accomplished album.

CAB is a fusion supergroup featuring Bunny Brunel on bass, Dennis Chambers on drums, Brian Auger on keys, and Tony MacAlpine on guitar, and their first outing feels like a nostalgia trip. Their music here mainly sounds like it's from the early seventies, coming out alongside the albums of Mahavishnu, Mwandishi, and Nucleus, and otherwise sounds like a killer take on muzak. Brunel's bass is probably the best part; it certainly is the glue that holds the group together, and has many great solos. The rest of the band does very well themselves, with MacAlpine's guitar solos driving the band much like those of McLaughlin in his Orchestra. The whole record is really wonderful solos by a band who simultaneously vies to be top dog, and yet knows to give everyone a chance to shine, and to support their friends when they go off the handle. A smooth, solo driven piece of throwback fusion, it is an enjoyable listen.

This album is a tour de force from some of the most talented and heavenly gifted musicians in today's world of fusion and not only!Fans of the genre know very well that this album is the 4-th studio album of the super group,because...in a bizarre way,they did alreay a CAB 4 cd...without the 3 one...that's trully weird!This new one is putting the standards even higher with the inclusion of the atomic drummer VIRGIL DONATI!Brian Auger is still in the gang,and other great artists like PATRICE RUSHEN,MICHEL POLNAREFF and especially the maestro CHICK COREA are giving a strong touch to a stellar album aready!The core of the band is composed of BUNNY BRUNEL-the instigator of the project and TONY MACALPINE,this time credited as co-producer too!What can or could be sayed about an album that is destined to become a classic in fusion music?It's simply breathtaking in terms of virtuosity and musicianship!Strong compositions,elaborated and catchy,fluid solos and amazing musical alchemy!Sometimes it's really breathtaking and our respect for this kind of musicians which are continuing to enchant and delight us with albums like this one...our respect is endless!Pure demonstrations of virtuosity...great solo interventions in the middle of the compositions,a fantastic clear and crystal sound,a fabulous production-more than a hour of pure fusion extravaganza!Highlights of the album-AL TRACKS!Yes,because all are having their own personality and each song is EXCELLENT!Tony Macalpine seems to be more and more ok in the fusion direction-here he is absolutelly on top of his tremendeous talent-a true guitar chameleon.Bunny Brunel is a bass monster-a true virtuoso both spectacular and efficient-VIRGIN DONATI is unleashed,as usual with a ferocious and powerful playing on each song!He made forgeot DENNIS CHAMBERS with brio,another monster drumer. and present on the first 3 CAB releases!.Donati is here really sensational and very,very inspired!The keys parts are excellent and all the album is very enjoyable from the first to the last minute!4,5 STARS for something almost perfect!

This is Chambers, Auger, Brunel and MacAlpine's second album in the CAB series and was a big step-up from their first. It is a firm but elegant session that reintroduced contemporary jazz-rock to a comatose Fusion scene and surprised everyone with a compositionally strong, tightly-executed and cleanly recorded follow-up. In fact, of the three studio and one live recordings, 'CAB 2' is superior and really should be a part of any modern fusionhead's library. If you stop to think about it - the legendary Brian Auger, indisputably God-like shredder Tony MacAlpine, always ready session man and RTF alum Bunny Brunel, and Dennis Chambers, probably the best drummer in the universe - the results are not surprising. And no skimp here, more than half of the ten cuts are over seven minutes.

'Decisions' is fine-- melodic and smooth with a blistered solo from Tony. But 'Madeline' gets things going, opening with soft, cool chords from Auger that mimic a child's taunt, a lithe guitar-key phrase complimented by Brunel's counter riff, deft thunder rolls from Chambers and resolves into a pretty passage sprinkled with MacAlpine's chops. 'Dennis' is strong and full of tremendous playing by namesake Chambers. He makes it sound easy, like a separate species, a one-in-a-million breed of player and his performance on this record demands the attention of all drummers, and 'For Joe' is just as good, showing traditional fusion influences like Tony Williams and RTF. Some of the material is in the same neighborhood as the watered down pap jazz-rock had become as in 'South Side' and the tinny samba beats of 'Songs for My Friend', but most of it is downright classy. 9-minute 'Temperamental' is quietly fierce and easy going 'Sunday' to finish. Grammy nominated, and recommended.